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Application Process Underway for DTP's Pop-Up Downtown

TULSA, OKLA. (Sept. 28, 2023) — Applications are now open for Pop-Up Downtown, a program of Downtown Tulsa Partnership (DTP) that allows emerging and growing entrepreneurs as well as established local brands to test the Downtown Tulsa market through affordable short-term leases in ground-floor retail spaces this holiday season. The program is expected to support five to seven pop-up shops in Downtown from Nov. 13, 2023, through Jan. 19, 2024.

The program, which also seeks to activate Downtown Tulsa through increased foot traffic and expanded diversity of Downtown business owners and shopping experiences, builds on the success of DTP’s 2022 holiday pop-up pilot. The pilot program connected 11 local entrepreneurs with 9 vacant Downtown storefronts, resulting in more than $27,000 in revenue for these small businesses. Three of the program participants continue to operate two brick-and-mortar stores in Downtown Tulsa at East Fifth Street and South Boston Avenue: Mi Tea Lounge and 5th & Fab Fashion Hub.

Applications for the 2023 holiday pop-ups are due by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13. DTP is offering two virtual info sessions for potential applicants to overview the program, walk through key dates, and receive support regarding the application process:

6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28: Session 1

6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3: Session 2

Participants of the 2022 holiday pop-up pilot were 72% Black, Indigenous, or people of color and were 72% female. Thanks to the generous support of The Commemoration Fund, DTP is able to facilitate the program for another year and continue to prioritize nontraditional and minority entrepreneur applications while including direct microgrants to all participants and providing expert guidance in the following categories:

  • Business consultation to help participants refine their business operations and maximize their potential for success.
  • Store staging consultation to assist participants in designing their store layouts and visual merchandising and creating an immersive shopping experience.
  • Marketing consultation to help participants develop marketing strategies, including online and offline approaches, that will help participants reach a wider audience and drive sales.

A Request for Proposals for these consulting services is now open and will close at 5 p.m., Oct. 16.

“One of our organization’s strategic goals is to foster a prosperous Downtown through investments and resources that seek to benefit all Tulsans,” said Brian Kurtz, DTP’s President and CEO. “A key component of Pop-Up Downtown is increasing the presence of underrepresented, nontraditional and diverse local entrepreneurs in Downtown while creating new retail experiences that generate more shopping revenue in Downtown — all while decreasing ground-floor vacancies.”

Participating businesses will be selected Nov. 3 and, in collaboration with Downtown property owners, assigned to vacant spaces by Nov. 13.

“The program offers an accessible and affordable opportunity for our local entrepreneurs to test new ideas, reach new customers and expand their working knowledge of operations at a brick-and-mortar location,” said Emily Scott, DTP’s Director of Planning & Vitality. “Downtowns everywhere are working on creative ways to fill our ground-floor vacancies, and we are excited to see what Tulsa’s expanding and innovative entrepreneur community brings to Downtown Tulsa this year.”

More details about Pop-Up Downtown can be found at DowntownTulsa.com/PopUpDowntown.

For more information about Downtown Tulsa Partnership, visit DowntownTulsa.com.